3 Weeks/9 Days

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22 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Dangling by a hair(cut)

Dear Rabbi We go away on holiday on the morning after Tisha B’Av – I would really like to have my haircut before I go away – is there any basis for doing so? Can I do it for example on Friday 20 July [2018=8 Av] for the honour of Shabbat or does that not work? What about this Friday…

22 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Easy as א-ב-ג?

Dear Rabbi Simon, I was listening to a shiur on Eichah on TorahAnytime.  As an aside, the speaker mentioned that the 1st chapter of Eichah is the source for the order of the Alef Bet as we know it.  Other chapters also follow the Alef Bet chronology but with Ayin and Peh interchanged. He quoted Rabbi Shimon Schwab as his…

07 May 0Comments 0Likes

Keeping My Job – A Close Shave?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Last year, I did not shave during the “9 Days” [leading up to the Fast of 9 Av].  My boss commented that it “was not a good look for me”…the implication being that my appearance was not quite in line with the professional demeanour that is expected at my work. Although my job is not directly in jeopardy…

25 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Music in 3 Weeks

Dear Rabbi Simon, I am at home much of the time at the moment, doing computing work out of my home office.  I listen to music on headphones to drown out other noise and to help me concentrate. (I have tried using the radio instead or other talking noises – and it does not really work.)  Would it be permitted…

25 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Swimming Lessons during the Nine Days

Hi Rabbi Simon. I wanted to ask you about signing up Zev for swimming classes during the 9 days.  There is a summer swim crash course for children happening from July 24th-28th, which happens to be right at the start of the 9 days.  I know there are prohibitions against swimming, but I wanted to check with you if I’m…

Questions & Answers
this week

Questions and Answers

Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
***
Dear Tzippy,
In line with other American authorities, I am in favour of quinoa. Although I reject completely the voices (mostly from Israel) seeking to abolish the ban on kitniyot entirely, IMO we do not need to include in the prohibition pseudo-grains that were unknown in the Old World until modern times. Best to buy with a Pesach hechsher though, to be free of any possible wheat contamination.
Rabbi Rashi Simon
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